The New Era won four awards at the Pacific Northwest News Publishing Contest, held during the Oregon Newspaper Publishers convention on July 18 at Boulder Falls Inn in Lebanon.
This year’s contest, for the first time, included Washington and Idaho newspapers. It was judged by members of the Virginia News Press Association.
Now-Editor Scott Swanson’s editorial, “Local Newspaper Facing Dire Situation,” informing the community about the financial straits The New Era was in last December, which prompted a vigorous response from the community, was a first-place winner.
Reporter Sarah Brown won two awards. She received a second place for Best Lifestyle Coverage with a story entitled “Digging Up History Builds Family Narrative.” Brown also was awarded second place in the Best Government Coverage category with a story entitled “City Proclaims State of Emergency Ahead of Drawdown.”
Third place in Best Special Section or Issue went to Casey Rossio and Chris Chapman for their 2024 Linn County Parks and Recreation Guide.